Block party fundraiser for Burlington flood victims

Some families affected by the severe flooding that hit the city earlier this month are banding together to raise money for local relief efforts.

A fundraising block party called Up The Creek is planned for Sunday, Aug. 31 from 4-8 p.m. It will take place on Elwood Road, west of Walker’s Line and north off New Street.

The food and entertainment offerings will be spread over a couple of houses but the focal point will be 474 Elwood Rd., the home of Glenn Nicholson and Kara Vanderkooy.

“(Our home) was significantly affected by the flood,” Glenn Nicholson. “(But) we are one of the lucky ones as we have been covered by insurance for everything inside with no cap” and no insurance deductible fee because their damage will exceed $30,000.

Their basement was flooded in the Aug. 4 deluge of rain that fell on Burlington. About 2,300 homes in the city reported serious flood damage.

Vanderkooy’s handiwork in planting and maintaining tropical plants in their vast backyard was virtually destroyed as floodwaters from an overflowing Tuck creek swamped and flattened much of their deep property.

“We feel for the people who have no or limited insurance. Our neighborhood has a handful of them (in that situation) as well as those in other areas,” Nicholson noted.

That’s the main reason for them organizing the street party.

“Our neighborhood has banded together and taken it upon ourselves to organize a fundraising block party to help raise money to get to the United Way,” he said.

More than 1,000 flyers advertising the event have been distributed.

City councillor Jack Dennison and newly elected Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon have helped with information about the required permits and corporate sponsorship advice related to the event, said Nicholson.

He said the fundraiser has grown from the original idea of a simple barbecue. They are now closing down a portion of Elwood Road. Bands performing live are The Kings, Time Bomb and the Missing A Man Trio.

Stage and sound equipment have been donated by Long and McQuade and Stagevision.

Food has been donated by Fortinos, M&M meats, Marilu’s Market and Spin Desserts, which will have an ice cream tent. The cost for food is $5 a plate.

Event T-shirts are being printed and will be sold at the fundraiser.

A Burlington fire truck expected to be on site.

Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chair.

The Burlington Community Foundation is accepting donations at the fundraiser with the funds to be turned over to The United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton for local flood relief efforts.

Call Glenn at 905-921-3536 for more information about the Up the Creek fundraiser.